A seven-year-old girl who suffered life-threatening injuries after being dragged under a van while riding her bicycle has been recognised for her extraordinary fundraising efforts on behalf of the emergency service that helped save her life. Gracie Kinnear from Carmarthen spent five days in a coma following the collision and required two years of rehabilitation, but has now received national awards for helping Wales Air Ambulance raise more than £65,000.
The incident occurred on the first day of the half-term holidays in February 2023, when Gracie was four years old. Her mother Emma had taken her and older brother Chester to a friend's house for a play date. The children rode their bicycles in the cul-de-sac, and most went inside, leaving Gracie and one other child outside under Emma's supervision.
We could see that there was somebody coming down the road and I was waving to get their attention. The van just kept coming and I was thinking 'this isn't right'.Emma explained that Gracie, who is autistic and has learning difficulties, communicated primarily through gestures at that time, so Emma was moving towards her daughter.
The van had stopped, so I'd kind of stopped worrying. But for some reason it just started driving again... in the time it started driving, I started running, [but] there wasn't enough time for me to move Gracie out the way.
The van struck Gracie and her bicycle, pulling her underneath the vehicle. Emma attempted to stop the driver by striking the van with such force that she dented it.
She didn't see me, she didn't see Gracie. I was pounding on the vehicle... I'd hit it so hard I dented the vehicle. I just remember screaming so much that nothing made sense.
What injuries did Gracie sustain?
The collision left Gracie with multiple severe injuries including a collapsed lung, broken scapula, broken ribs, broken pelvis, lacerations to her liver, a shattered right kidney and a head injury. She was initially taken to Glangwili Hospital before being transferred to the University Hospital of Wales Neurosurgical and Paediatric Trauma Centre in Cardiff.
During her transfer, Gracie received advanced emergency care from Wales Air Ambulance medics that would typically only be available in hospital emergency departments. The team administered a general anaesthetic, placed her on a ventilator to support her breathing and protect her brain, and provided two blood transfusions. According to Wales Air Ambulance, a partnership between the charity and the Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) enabled this level of advanced care to be delivered during transport.
The medical team that day included Dr Jon Birk, Dr Jamie Vassallo and Critical Care Practitioner Connor Morgans. Emma described the period as her family's darkest hours.
It was every parent's worst nightmare. One moment she was happily playing, and the next she was fighting for her life.She and her husband Martyn spent five days uncertain whether their daughter would survive.
How long was Gracie's recovery?
Gracie spent approximately one month in hospital following the crash. She then required two years of intensive rehabilitation to relearn how to walk independently. During this period, she wore a special suit designed to realign her body and support her physical development. She also underwent surgery to reattach her ear and scalp. Today, Gracie can walk and eat independently and has returned to school.
When discharged from hospital, she initially required a wheelchair and feeding tube, but has made a full functional recovery. Emma, who had previously worked in a hospital, was unable to return to that career following the trauma but has since found work as a content creator.
What happened to the driver?
In September 2025, the van driver was found guilty of causing serious injury by careless driving following a trial at Swansea Crown Court. The driver received a sentence of 10 months in prison and a 20-month driving ban.
How did Gracie's family become involved with Wales Air Ambulance?
Initially, Emma was not fully aware of the extent of the care Gracie had received from the air ambulance team.
I knew the air ambulance existed, but I didn't know much about them, I thought it was just a government thing.It was only after the crash that she came to understand the critical role the service had played in saving her daughter's life.
If it wasn't for them, my daughter most likely would not be here today.
A turning point came when Connor Morgans, one of the medics who treated Gracie, visited the family in hospital after the incident—something he was not obligated to do. This gesture of compassion prompted the family to learn more about the charity and motivated them to give back.
They've given Gracie a future. Something that we will forever be grateful for.
After her recovery, Gracie and her brother Chester visited the air ambulance team several times. During one visit, Gracie was able to sit inside the helicopter. Dr Birk reflected on seeing Gracie again:
To have met Gracie again, full of life, is incredibly humbling.
What fundraising has Gracie undertaken?
Gracie became the face of Wales Air Ambulance's Christmas campaign in December 2025. Through this campaign, she helped raise more than £65,000 for the charity. According to the charity, this sum is sufficient to fund 18 combined air and road missions, directly enabling the service to continue its life-saving work.
Emma described how each visit to the air ambulance team deepened their commitment to supporting the organisation.
Every time we went to see them, it opened up a new reason why we should support them.
What recognition has Gracie received?
Nominated by Wales Air Ambulance, Gracie was presented with a certificate of merit from the Child of Wales Awards 2026 in recognition of her outstanding fundraising efforts. The presentation took place during a visit to the Wales Air Ambulance base in Dafen near Llanelli. Steven Stokes, the charity's director of strategic communication and engagement, described it as
a real privilege to welcome Gracie and present the award.
Bluestone National Park Resort in Pembrokeshire, which sponsored the award category, invited the family to their resort for the day as part of the recognition. Gracie also won a Child of Courage award at the Nations Radio Awards earlier this year.
Emma reflected on the moment Gracie received her certificate.
It was such a special moment when Gracie received her certificate. Her face lit up, she was waving at everybody. She's really proud of it.She added:
If you had told me three years ago that this is what the future would look like, I would never have believed you.
Gracie was accompanied to collect her certificate by her ten-year-old brother Chester, whom Emma credits as Gracie's
biggest champion.Emma explained that Chester was present when the accident occurred, though he did not witness it directly.
He was there when the accident happened - he didn't see it, but he heard me. It's nice for him to experience some of the more positive bits too, because he's experienced all the negatives with us.
How has the family moved forward?
Emma acknowledged that the trauma of the incident remains with her.
I don't think I'll ever get over it.However, she has found meaning in channelling her experience into supporting others.
But, for me, the positives in it are raising money for other people. You can't repay the work and the effort and all the care they've given her, so by helping the air ambulance raise the money, you are. This negative experience has definitely benefited so many people, and that's just the way you've got to look at it.
During the difficult early days in hospital, the family looked forward to a planned trip to Drayton Manor theme park as a source of hope and motivation. Today, with Gracie's recovery complete and her return to school, the family has moved into a new chapter while remaining deeply connected to the service that saved Gracie's life.
Key Facts
- Gracie Kinnear was four years old when struck by a van while riding her bicycle in February 2023, suffering a collapsed lung, broken bones, kidney damage and head injuries
- She spent five days in a coma and approximately one month in hospital, followed by two years of rehabilitation to relearn how to walk
- Wales Air Ambulance medics provided critical emergency care during her transfer to hospital, including ventilation support and blood transfusions
- Gracie's fundraising as the face of the charity's Christmas campaign in December 2025 raised more than £65,000, funding 18 combined air and road missions
- The van driver was convicted of causing serious injury by careless driving in September 2025 and sentenced to 10 months in prison and a 20-month driving ban
